Golf ball game apparatus and method

ABSTRACT

The present invention comprises a golf ball game apparatus for use in conjunction with billiard cues and a billiard table having cushioned rails and drop pockets, the golf ball game apparatus comprising three interchangeably mateable golf ball game panels having two fixed concave surface configuration members representing golf hazards raised mounds. The gam apparatus is played with at least one set of sixteen golf balls whereby via billiard cues the cue golf ball must strike and pocket game golf balls into the drop pockets of the billiard table.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates a golf ball game apparatus for use in conjunction with billiard cues and a billiard table having cushioned rails and drop pockets.

Billiard games and golf-oriented games are each individually well known. In a few instances there have been attempts to combine these billiard games and golf games into hybrid billiard-golf games. Such devices are exemplified by U.S. Pat. Nos. 1,813,116; 3,871,650; 4,114,876; 4,874,167; 4,875,680; 5,765,828; 6,780,117.

These devices utilize a variety of methods in an attempt to depict a golf course on a billiard table from painted, flat sheets, flexible blankets, and multiple small game pieces set on the table surface all the way to numerous tables each being a single simulated golf hole. Each of these previous game devices are disadvantageous, however, be it their lengthy set up time, use of numerous small parts to maintain, or their requirement of the use of standard size and weight billiard balls.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates to a golf ball game apparatus for use in conjunction with billiard cues and a billiard table having cushioned rails and drop pockets.

The golf ball game apparatus comprises three interchangeably mateable golf ball game panels for placement on the existing billiard table surface. The individual game panels comprise a first game panel having two fixed concave surface configuration members, wherein one concave surface configuration member is colored blue to represent a water hazard and one concave surface configuration member is colored brown to represent a sand hazard, a second golf ball game panel having two fixed convex surface configuration members, wherein the convex surface configuration members represent raised mounds, and a third golf ball game panel having one fixed concave surface configuration member, wherein the concave surface configuration member is colored brown to represent a sand hazard.

The golf ball game apparatus is played using at least one set of sixteen golf balls, wherein fifteen game golf balls have coloring and indicia similar to traditional billiard game balls and one cue golf ball has coloring and indicia similar to traditional billiard cue balls. A triangular golf ball rack receives and arranges the game golf balls in a triangularly shaped group, whereby via billiard cues the cue golf ball must strike and pocket game golf balls into the drop pockets of the billiard table.

The present invention further relates to a method for playing a golf ball game apparatus for use in conjunction with billiard cues and a billiard table having cushioned rails and drop pockets.

The method for playing the golf ball game apparatus comprises placing three mateable golf ball game panels on the existing billiard table surface, the individual game panels comprising a first game panel having two fixed concave surface configuration members, wherein one concave surface configuration member is colored blue to represent a water hazard and one surface configuration member is colored brown to represent a sand hazard; a second golf ball game panel having two fixed convex surface configuration members, wherein the convex surface configuration members represent raised mounds; and a third golf ball game panel having one fixed concave surface configuration member, wherein surface configuration member is colored brown to represent a sand hazard.

The game is played using at least one set of sixteen golf balls, wherein fifteen game golf balls have coloring and indicia similar to traditional billiard game balls and one cue golf ball has coloring and indicia similar to traditional billiard cue balls. A triangular golf ball rack is used to group the game golf balls in a triangular shaped group at a first billiard table end while the cue golf ball is placed at a second table end opposite the triangular group of racked game golf balls. The triangular group of racked game golf balls is broken with an opening break shot by striking the cue golf ball with a billiard cue, the cue golf ball striking and breaking up the triangular group of racked game golf balls.

The game object is pocketing the game golf balls into the drop pockets of the billiard table by first striking the cue golf ball with a billiard cue, the cue golf ball then striking the game golf ball to be pocketed, directing the game golf ball into the desired drop pocket.

The present invention further still relates to a method for manufacturing a golf ball game apparatus for use in conjunction with billiard cues and a billiard table having cushioned rails and drop pockets.

The method of manufacturing the golf ball game apparatus comprises the steps of providing three mateable golf ball game panels for placement on the existing billiard table surface, the individual game panels comprising a first game panel having two fixed concave surface configuration members, wherein one concave surface configuration member is colored blue to represent a water hazard and one surface configuration member is colored brown to represent a sand hazard; a second golf ball game panel having two fixed convex surface configuration members, wherein the convex surface configuration members represent raised mounds; and a third golf ball game panel having one fixed concave surface configuration member, wherein surface configuration member is colored brown to represent a sand hazard.

The method of manufacturing further comprises the steps of providing at least one set of sixteen golf balls, wherein fifteen golf balls have coloring and indicia similar to traditional billiard game balls and one golf ball has coloring and indicia similar to traditional billiard cue balls, and providing a triangular game golf ball rack for arranging the game golf balls into a triangularly shaped group, whereby via billiard cues the cue golf ball must strike and pocket game golf balls into the drop pockets of the billiard table.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a perspective view illustrating a golf ball game apparatus for use in conjunction with billiard cues and a billiard table having cushioned rails and drop pockets in accordance with the present invention;

FIG. 2 is a perspective view of a golf ball game apparatus for use in conjunction with billiard cues and a billiard table having cushioned rails and drop pockets in accordance with the present invention illustrating the alteration of motion of a golf game ball the surface configuration member;

FIG. 3 is a perspective view illustrating three interchangeably mateable golf ball game panels for placement on an existing billiard table surface in a golf ball game apparatus for use in conjunction with billiard cues and a billiard table having cushioned rails and drop pockets in accordance with the present invention;

FIG. 4 is a perspective view of a golf ball game apparatus for use in conjunction with billiard cues and a billiard table having cushioned rails and drop pockets in accordance with the present invention illustrating three interchangeably mateable golf ball game panels, a set of fifteen game golf balls, one cue golf ball, a triangular golf ball rack, and a portable carrying case; and

FIG. 5 is a cross-sectional view along line 5-5 of FIG. 1 illustrating the internal construction of the golf ball game panels and surface configuration members in accordance with the present invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

With reference to the Drawings wherein like numbers indicate like elements, with reference to FIG. 1 there is shown a conventional pool table 10 having six ball receiving drop pockets. The golf ball game apparatus of the present invention is shown generally at 12, includes three interchangeably mateable golf ball game panels A for placement on the existing billiard table surface. The golf ball game panels A have fixed surface configuration members B which either raise or lower the surface elevation of the golf ball game panels.

The individual game panels comprise a first game panel A1, which preferably has at least two fixed concave surface configuration members B1, wherein one concave surface configuration member is preferably colored blue to represent a water hazard and one concave surface configuration member is preferably colored brown to represent a sand hazard. Second golf ball game panel A2 preferably has at least two fixed convex surface configuration members B2 wherein the convex surface configuration members represent raised mounds. The third golf ball game panel A3 preferably has at least one fixed concave surface configuration member B1, wherein the concave surface configuration member is preferably colored brown to represent a sand hazard.

The golf ball game panels A1, A2, A3 are preferably placed on the billiard table playing surface, substantially aligning and abutting the cushioned rails and drop pockets of the billiard table. Panels A1, A2, A3 are preferably interchangebly matable with another constituting a smoothly transitionable playing surface from panel to panel.

The golf ball game panels are typically constructed from either a wood or polymer substrate 14, which carries the concave and convex surface configuration members B1, B2. The substrate is preferably covered with a billiard cloth 16, commonly referred to as “felt”, even though the billiard cloth is usually not pure felt. Typically the billiard cloth is constructed from worsted wool or worsted wool and nylon blends. In a preferred embodiment, the tops and sides of the golf ball game panels A1, A2, A3 are covered with billiard cloth. Concave hazards B1 preferably are not covered with billiard cloth, while convex hazards B2 preferably are covered with billiard cloth. The golf ball game panels A1, A2, A3 are preferably backed with a polymer backing 18 to protect the billiard cloth of the underlying billiard table upon which the panels are placed. In a preferred embodiment this polymer backing comprises acrylonitrile butadiene styrene (ABS), although it is contemplated that any similar polymer backing may be used.

The golf ball game panels A1, A2, A3 may vary in size to correspond to the plethora of billiard table sizes that are manufactured. Table 1 references the more common billiard table designs and dimensions by which the golf ball game panels A1, A2, A3 may be configured. It should be understood that the sum dimensions of golf ball game panels A1, A2, A3 should equal the playing surface not including the cushioned rails of the referenced billiard tables. TABLE 1 Table Type Table Length Table Width Drop Pockets Snooker 12 ft (3.7 m) 6.1 ft (1.9 m) Yes English Billiards 12 ft (3.7 m) 6.1 ft (1.9 m) Yes Carom, Professional 10 ft (3 m)     5 ft (1.5 m) No Tournament  9 ft (2.7 m) 4.5 ft (1.4 m) Yes Carom, Standard  9 ft (2.7 m) 4.5 ft (1.4 m) No Pro-8 8.3 ft (2.5 m)  4.15 ft (1.25 m) Yes Standard  8 ft (2.4 m)   4 ft (1.2 m) Yes Bar  7 ft (2.2 m) 3.5 ft (1.1 m) Yes Economy  6 ft (1.8 m)   3 ft (0.9 m) Yes

The golf ball game apparatus of the present invention is preferably played using at least one set of sixteen golf balls C. In a preferred embodiment, fifteen golf balls have coloring and indicia similar to traditional billiard game balls and one golf ball has coloring and indicia similar to traditional billiard cue balls. With reference to Table 2, it is preferred that eight game golf balls are solid in color and are individually numbered 1 through 8 , while seven game golf balls are striped in color and are individually numbered 9 through 15. TABLE 2 Golf Ball Number Golf Ball Marking Type Golf Ball Color 1 Solid Yellow 2 Solid Blue 3 Solid Red 4 Solid Purple 5 Solid Orange 6 Solid Green 7 Solid Burgundy 8 Solid Black 9 Striped Yellow Stripe & White 10 Striped Blue Stripe & White 11 Striped Red Stripe & White 12 Striped Purple Stripe & White 13 Striped Orange Stripe & White 14 Striped Green Stripe & White 15 Striped Burgundy Stripe & White

It is important to note that the present invention preferably utilizes golf balls as opposed to standard billiard balls. On average, the traditional billiard game balls are 2.25 inches in diameter and weigh 5.5 ounces. Traditionally the billiard cue weighs 6 ounces and may be oversized to 2.375 inches in diameter. By contrast, the typical golf ball is 1.68 inches in diameter and weighs 1.62 ounces. It should be obvious from the disparity in size and weight that the golf ball will more readily react to the rises and depressions in the golf ball game surface game surface provided by the concave and convex surface configuration members B1, B2 than would the larger and heavier traditional billiard ball. This increased reaction to the game panel surfaces adds to the difficulty and playing enjoyment of the game's object, namely the pocketing of the game golf balls.

Furthermore, by using the lighter and smaller golf ball, the wear and tear on the golf ball game panel surfaces and surface configuration members will be less, resulting in longer life and playability of the golf ball game apparatus.

Alternatively, it is contemplated that miniature billiard balls, on the order of 1.375 inches in diameter may also be used.

A triangular golf ball rack D receives and arranges the fifteen game golf balls in a group whereby via billiard cues the cue golf ball must strike and pocket game golf balls into the drop pockets of the billiard table. In a preferred embodiment the golf ball rack is triangularly shaped. In an alternative embodiment the golf ball rack may comprise other shapes such as a diamond for receiving and arranging nine game golf balls. In yet another alternative embodiment the golf ball rack may be configured to receive and arrange miniature billiard balls on the order of 1.375 inches in diameter. The golf ball rack D may be of wood, aluminum, or polymer construction.

While a preferred embodiment of the invention has been described using specific terms, such description is for illustrative purposes only, and it is to be understood that changes and variations may be made to the golf ball game apparatus constructed in accordance with the invention for use in conjunction with billiard cues and a billiard table having cushioned rails and drop pockets, its parts, and methods of manufacture, without departing from the spirit or scope of the following claims. 

1. A golf ball game apparatus for use in conjunction with billiard cues and a billiard table having cushioned rails and drop pockets, the golf ball game apparatus comprising: three interchangeably mateable golf ball game panels for placement on the existing billiard table surface, the individual game panels comprising: a first game panel having two fixed concave surface configuration members, wherein one concave surface configuration member is colored blue to represent a water hazard and one concave surface configuration member is colored brown to represent a sand hazard; a second golf ball game panel having two fixed convex surface configuration members, wherein the convex surface configuration members represent raised mounds; a third golf ball game panel having one fixed concave surface configuration member, wherein the concave surface configuration member is colored brown to represent a sand hazard; at least one set of sixteen golf balls, wherein fifteen game golf balls have coloring and indicia similar to traditional billiard game balls and one cue golf ball has coloring and indicia similar to traditional billiard cue balls; and a triangular golf ball rack for receiving and arranging the game golf balls in a triangularly shaped group, wherein, the golf ball game panels are mateably positioned on the existing billiard table surface creating an uneven hazard filled playing surface whereby via billiard cues the cue golf ball must strike and pocket game golf balls into the drop pockets of the billiard table.
 2. The golf ball game apparatus of claim 1, wherein the game panel tops and sides are covered with billiard cloth.
 3. The golf ball game apparatus of claim 1, wherein the game panel bottoms are covered with a polymer backing to protect the billiard cloth of the underlying billiard table.
 4. The golf ball game apparatus of claim 3, wherein the polymer backing comprises acrylonitrile butadiene styrene (ABS).
 5. The golf ball game apparatus of claim 1, wherein eight game golf balls are solid in color.
 6. The golf ball game apparatus of claim 5, wherein the eight solid colored game golf balls are individually numbered 1 through
 8. 7. The golf ball game apparatus of claim 1, wherein seven game golf balls are striped in color.
 8. The golf ball game apparatus of claim 7, wherein the seven striped in color game golf balls are individually numbered 9 through
 15. 9. A golf ball game apparatus for use in conjunction with billiard cues and a billiard table having cushioned rails and drop pockets, the golf all game apparatus comprising: a first golf ball game panel for placement on the existing billiard table surface having fixed surface configuration members; a second golf ball game panel for placement on the existing billiard table surface and mateable to the first golf ball game panel having fixed surface configuration members, a third golf ball game panel for placement on the existing billiard table surface and mateable to the first or second golf ball game panel having fixed surface configuration members, at least one set of sixteen golf balls, wherein fifteen game golf balls have coloring and indicia similar to traditional billiard game balls and one cue golf ball has coloring and indicia similar to traditional billiard cue balls; and a triangular golf ball rack for receiving and arranging the game golf balls in a triangularly shaped group, wherein, the golf ball game panels are mateably positioned on the existing billiard table surface creating an uneven hazard filled playing surface whereby via billiard cues the cue golf ball must strike and pocket game golf balls into the drop pockets of the billiard table.
 10. The golf ball game apparatus of claim 9, wherein the surface configuration members are concave.
 11. The golf ball game apparatus of claim 10, wherein the concave surface configuration members are colored blue to represent a water hazard.
 12. The golf ball game apparatus of claim 10, wherein the concave surface configuration members are colored brown to represent a sand hazard.
 13. The golf ball game apparatus of claim 9, wherein the surface configuration members are convex.
 14. The golf ball game apparatus of claim 9, wherein the convex surface configuration members represent raised mounds.
 15. The golf ball game apparatus of claim 9, wherein the game panel tops and sides are covered with billiard cloth.
 16. The golf ball game apparatus of claim 9, wherein the game panel bottoms are covered with a polymer backing to protect the billiard cloth of the underlying billiard table.
 17. The golf ball game apparatus of claim 15, wherein the polymer backing comprises acrylonitrile butadiene styrene (ABS).
 18. The golf ball game apparatus of claim 9, wherein eight game golf balls are solid in color.
 19. The golf ball game apparatus of claim 18, wherein the eight solid colored game golf balls are individually numbered 1 through
 8. 20. The golf ball game apparatus of claim 9, wherein seven game golf balls are striped in color.
 21. The golf ball game apparatus of claim 20, wherein the seven striped in color game golf balls are individually numbered 9 through
 15. 22. A golf ball game apparatus for use in conjunction with billiard cues and a billiard table having cushioned rails and drop pockets, the golf ball game apparatus comprising: three mateable golf ball game panels for placement on the existing billiard table surface, the game panels having fixed concave and convex surface configuration members; and at least one set of sixteen golf balls, wherein fifteen game golf balls have coloring and indicia similar to traditional billiard game balls and one cue golf ball has coloring and indicia similar to traditional billiard cue balls; wherein, the golf ball game panels are mateably positioned on the existing billiard table surface creating an uneven hazard filled playing surface upon which via billiard cues the cue golf ball must strike and pocket game golf balls into the drop pockets of the billiard table.
 23. A method for playing a golf ball game apparatus for use in conjunction with billiard cues and a billiard table having cushioned rails and drop pockets, the golf all game apparatus comprising: placing three mateable golf ball game panels on the existing billiard table surface, the individual game panels comprising: a first game panel having two fixed concave surface configuration members, wherein one concave surface configuration member is colored blue to represent a water hazard and one surface configuration member is colored brown to represent a sand hazard; a second golf ball game panel having two fixed convex surface configuration members, wherein the convex surface configuration members represent raised mounds; a third golf ball game panel having one fixed concave surface configuration member, wherein surface configuration member is colored brown to represent a sand hazard; utilizing at least one set of sixteen golf balls, wherein fifteen game golf balls have coloring and indicia similar to traditional billiard game balls and one cue golf ball has coloring and indicia similar to traditional billiard cue balls; utilizing a triangular golf ball rack to group the game golf balls in a triangular shaped group at a first billiard table end; placing the cue golf ball at a second table end opposite the triangular group of racked game golf balls; breaking the triangular group of racked game golf balls with an opening break shot by striking the cue golf ball with a billiard cue, the cue golf ball striking the breaking up the triangular group of racked game golf balls; and pocketing the game golf balls into the drop pockets of the billiard table by first striking the cue golf ball with a billiard cue, the cue golf ball then striking the game golf ball to be pocketed, directing the game golf ball into the desired drop pocket.
 24. A method for playing a golf ball game of claim 24, wherein the first game panel is placed on the existing billiard table surface at the head of the billiard table.
 25. A method for playing a golf ball game of claim 24, wherein the second game panel is placed on the existing billiard table surface in the middle of the billiard table.
 26. A method for playing a golf ball game of claim 24, wherein the third game panel is placed on the existing billiard table surface at the foot of the billiard table.
 27. A method for playing a golf ball game of claim 24, further comprising the step of grouping the game golf balls in the triangular golf ball rack by alternating solids and stripes.
 28. A method for playing a golf ball game of claim 28, further comprising the step of placing the 8-ball in the center of the group of game golf balls in the triangular golf ball rack.
 29. A method for playing a golf ball game of claim 24, further comprising the step of placing the golf ball rack at the foot of the table.
 30. A method for playing a golf ball game of claim 24, wherein the opening break shot is taken with cue golf ball at the head of the table opposite the triangular group of racked game golf balls.
 31. A method for playing the golf ball game of claim 24, wherein if a player knocks one of his designated game golf balls into the water hazard, the game golf ball is removed from the hazard to the edge nearest the spot where the game golf ball rested in the hazard and the next turn is lost.
 32. A method for playing the golf ball game of claim 24, wherein if a player knocks one of his designated game golf balls into sand hazard, the game golf ball is played from the hazard.
 33. A method for playing the golf ball game of claim 24, wherein if a player knocks the cue golf ball into any hazard, the opponent gets “ball in hand” for opponent's next shot.
 34. A method for manufacturing a golf ball game apparatus for use in conjunction with billiard cues and a billiard table having cushioned rails and drop pockets, the golf all game apparatus comprising the steps of: providing three mateable golf ball game panels for placement on the existing billiard table surface, the individual game panels comprising: a first game panel having two fixed concave surface configuration members, wherein one concave surface configuration member is colored blue to represent a water hazard and one surface configuration member is colored brown to represent a sand hazard; a second golf ball game panel having two fixed convex surface configuration members, wherein the convex surface configuration members represent raised mounds; a third golf ball game panel having one fixed concave surface configuration member, wherein surface configuration member is colored brown to represent a sand hazard; providing at least one set of sixteen golf balls, wherein fifteen golf balls have coloring and indicia similar to traditional billiard game balls and one golf ball has coloring and indicia similar to traditional billiard cue balls; and providing a triangular game golf ball rack for arranging the game golf balls into a triangularly shaped group, wherein, the golf ball game panels are mateably positioned on the existing billiard table surface creating an uneven hazard filled playing surface whereby via billiard cues the cue golf ball must strike and pocket game golf balls into the drop pockets of the billiard table.
 35. A method for manufacturing a golf ball game of claim 35, wherein the first game panel is placed on the existing billiard table surface at the head of the billiard table.
 36. A method for manufacturing a golf ball game of claim 35, wherein the second game panel is placed on the existing billiard table surface in the middle of the billiard table.
 37. A method for manufacturing a golf ball game of claim 35, wherein the third game panel is placed on the existing billiard table surface at the foot of the billiard table. 